Sacred Ceremony - A Desert Mob (2010) by Rusiate Lali 91x122cm

Sacred Ceremony - A Desert Mob (2010) by Rusiate Lali 91x122cm

In this painting we can see the feathery desert sky with the figures rising up out of the ground or even being consumed by the country. Within the paint, lines and patterns Rusiate encodes personal totemic iconography and narrative that reflect his ancestral stories as well as his attitudes to contemporary life.

Rusiate, one of the most exciting and provocative artists to exhibit at Gallery Gondwana, comes from a long lineage of potters, carvers, tapa cloth and fibre artists. Named Contemporary Fijian Artist of the Year in 1999, Rusiate’s work is a sensuous mix of past and present, myth and reality. He has had five solo exhibitions and participated in many group exhibitions. To date much of his work has explored his personal experiences and his universal awareness of social issues. He handles these subjects with intelligence and sensitivity.